Folding and pressing attachment for sewing machines



May 23, 1939. 'r. A. ANDERSON 2,159,416 I FOLDING AND PRESSING ATTACHMENT FOR snwme MACHINES Filed June 12. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I 3 ll \l 401K- 16]) o I 45 6.7 1 4 4 ll} l L I :l

y 23, 1939- T. A. ANDERSON 2,159,416v

FOLDING AND PRESSING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed June 12, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 g momaJA.AnderJo22/,

35f; N77 W y 1939- r. A. ANDERSON 2,159,416

FOLDING AND PRESSING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed June 12. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ell 6.

46% 16 d 8); 71 .94- 16; 45 l 7 I 48 l I; a a? [a I 48c 42; 19 7710mm A.Andero:0n,

1 a autumn;

Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING AND PRESSING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Thomas A. Anderson, Hartwell, Ga., assignor to The Patent Button Company,

Waterbury,

17 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in attachments for sewing machines, and more particularly to an attachment that will fold back the marginal edges of the fabric adjacent the line of stitching and press these sofolded edges in a neat and workmanship-like manner.

This application is a companion to the application filed by me on July 22, 1936, Serial Number 92,038, for Folding and pressing attachment for sewing machines, and resulting in Patent Number 2,109,441, issued February 22, 1938.

The present invention incorporates most of the mechanism described and claimed in the companion application, thereby retaining all of the advantages of the former machine over the art and also contemplates the use of additional features and some changes in mechanism to simplify the operation of the machine and make it more convenient for the operator to initially position the material to be seamed and pressed under the presser foot.

In the former case, the machine provides a simple and eflicient means of turning back the marginal edges of the cloth adjacent the line of stitching 'just after they leave the needle, so that by the time the fabric and its marginal edges have reached the presser rolls (in close proximity to the needle), the marginal edges extend in desired opposite directions to be then properly pressed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for pressing the marginal edges of the seamed fabric back on the fabric, as in the former application, and to further provide means wherein the presser foot may be raised by the operator sufiiciently above the table bed to permit the operator to more conveniently position the material to be sewed before starting the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide what I term improved spreader plates, which are both carried in the L-shaped bracket at the forward edge of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to so construct the spreader plates that they are held under a light tension within the L-shaped bracket, while the latter is held under a heavy tension.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a seam. bursting and pressing attachment, wherein one of the spreader plates is much wider than in the companion application, and, in reality, presents two fishtails, so that Wider marginal edges may be accommodated than in the companion application and, at the same time, the

marginal edges of the material beyond the seam will be properly guided between the rollers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a trough directly under the driven roller, so that the under marginal edge of one of the pieces being seamed will pass into the trough as the cloth is fed past the needle and rollers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a somewhat simplified structure over that shown in the companion application. wherein there is secured to the presser foot carrier an irregularly-shaped bar which, in turn, will e1evate a post, on which is secured the bracket that carries the spreader plates. As in the former instance, the presser foot carrier is operated by a foottreadle. so that the presser foot can be elevated when desired, but not only will the presser foot be elevated but also the bracket and spreader plates, and the layers of cloth to be sewed may be conveniently placed, respectively, above and beneath the bracket and under the presser foot.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for conveniently raising the presser foot above its conventional normal height in a rapid and convenient manner to thus save the time of the operator in initially positioning the cloth.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simplified means for elevating the presser foot, the means also carrying the improved spreader bracket, so that when the presser foot is raised, the bracket will also be slightly raised.

With these and other objects in view, the in vention consists in certain new and novel features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully explained and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a sewing machine head with my improved seam pressing attachment embodied therein and parts broken away to show the lever for operating the presser foot carrier;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the table bed of the machine showing my improved attachment including the presser rolls and bracket with its spreader plates and the arm for elevating the bracket;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the bracket mounted on the post, the other parts of the attachment being removed for the sake of clearness of illustration and showing the manner in which the spreader plates are pivotally mounted within the bracket;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary edge view of the long arm of the bracket showing the roller mounted in its end;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing the manner of mounting the post in the table bed;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line of the needle and presser foot mechanism and showing the spreader bracket in its lower or normal position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail of the bridge and its plate secured thereto;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the presser foot and associated parts, including the bracket, in their elevated position;

Fig. 8 is a front sectionalelevation taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of inserting the fabric under the presser foot;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view from the front, showing the marginal edges deflected just prior to entering the rollers; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but taken from the rear of the machine, showing the material as it emerges from the rollers in pressed condition.

At the outset, it might be mentioned that the present application is similar in its broadest aspects to the companion application, now Patent Number 2,109,441, issued February 22, 1938, in that the goods will be seamed in the same manner and the marginal edges will be diverted preliminary to passing to the adjacent presser rolls, where the so-deflected marginal edges are pressed back on the cloth and thus save the otherwise necessary ironing.

The attachment is one that may be built in a sewing machine of the type described, and only that much of the machine is described which is though necessary to point out the present invention and the differences over the companion application.

Referring now for the moment to Fig. 1, there is shown a sewing machine head consisting of the base I, a standard 2, overhanging arm 3, and a table or bed 4, while above this table may be seen a part of the attachment that forms the subject-matter of the present invention.

The feed mechanism of the machine is identical with that shown in the companion application, now Patent Number 2,109,441, issued February 22, 1938, and specific reference may be made thereto, if so desired.

' However, for an understanding of the present invention, a brief description of the machine itself as described in the former application is set forth.

Feeding mechanism There is shown in Fig. 6 the main drive shaft 5, while secured near its outer end, to the left of the figure, is an arm 1, which is secured to a frame M, which frame I4, in turn, is pivotally mounted on a rock shaft 8. The arm 1, shown in dot and dash lines, is rocked from the main drive shaft 5 through the eccentric II and its strap l2 connected to the arm I at the point I3. The frame or vertical link 14, to which the arm I is connected, has pivoted at its top the arm l5, which extends forwardly of the machine to substantially beneath the presser foot carrier 16.

This presser foot carrier [6 has secured thereto at its upper end the bracket arm 16, which is engaged by one end of the pivoted lever L, while to the other end of the lever L is secured the wire or rod L which extends down to a foot pedal (not shown). To raise this presser foot carrier l6, therefore, it is only necessary to operate the foot treadle (not shown), which, through the wire L and lever L, just mentioned, will elevate the presser foot carrier and presser foot, as will be readily understood. The outer end of the arm 15 is enlarged and provided with a guideway ll, in which is adjustably mounted the feeding dog IS, the lower portion of which is provided with a bifurcated short arm I9, which fits within the aforementioned guideway 11, so that the feeding dog 18 may be slightly adjusted vertically and held in a desired position by the clamping screw 28.

Thus, it will be seen that a rotation of the main drive shaft 5 through the aforementioned eccentric strap 12, arm 1, and arm [5 will impart the desired horizontal reciprocatory motion to the feeding clog l8. To impart the vertical reciprocatory motion to the feeding dog I8, a depending arm 2|, forming a part of the arm I5, is secured at its lower end to the eccentric strap 22, which, in turn, cooperates with the eccentric 23 mounted on the main drive shaft 5. Thus, the properly timed horizontal and vertical reciprocatory motions impart the desired compound motion to the feeding dog I8 to feed the cloth through the machine with the assistance of the presser foot in the conventional manner.

The structure above outlined is identical with that shown in the companion application.

. Looper To impart the desired movement to the looper mechanism, there is shown an auxiliary or rock shaft 24 suitably mounted in bearings 24', Fig. 1, and from which shaft extends the curved arm 25, to which, in turn, is secured the eccentric strap 26, which cooperates with the eccentric 21 also mounted on the main drive shaft 5, so that the rotation of the main drive shaft 5 also rocks or oscillates the aforementioned auxiliary or rock shaft 24. This rock shaft 24 has the sleeve 28, which is held in position by the set-screws 29, which sleeve, in turn, carries the bearing 30, in which'the stub shaft 3| is mounted, and on which shaft is pivotally mounted the arm 32, to the upper end of which latter is adjustably secured the looper 33, that can be seen just adjacent the needle 34.

The mechanism just described provides a lateral or needle-avoiding movement of the threaded looper.

To provide the reciprocatory motion to the threaded looper, there is shown the link 35, which is adjustable by providing the internally threaded barrels 36 (see Fig. 1) and the right and left-hand threaded member 31, so that an adjusting movement of this right and left-hand threaded member 31 will cause a shortening or lengthening of the link 35, depending on the direction in which it is turned. This link is reciprocated from the shaft 5 by a cam (not shown).

Due to the compound movement, that is, the needle-avoiding movement and the reciprocatory movement, the threaded looper may pass and avoid the needle in properly timed relation with the vertical reciprocatory movement of the needle 34.

The machine so far described is identical with that shown in the former application.

Referring again for the moment to Fig. 6, there 75 will be seen rigidly secured to the main. drive shaft 5 theyworm 38; which, in turn, drivesthe pinion 39, which is likewise rigidly secured to the vertically extending shaft 40; This shaft is mounted for rotation in the housing 4| secured tothe base I. On the upper portion of the shaft 40 may be seen the knurled roller 42-, which may be removably fixed to the shaft 46 by the hollow set-screw 43. The pinion 39 will likewise be held by a set-screw 44;

As in the former instance; the ratio of the worm and pinion for driving the knurled roller 42 is adjusted with the rate of intermittent feeding movement of the feeding dog mechanism, so that not only will the roller press the seams, as will be shortly described, but itwill also give a slight pulling movement to the fabric from the seaming operation. Thus, there is no possibility of the work being jammed between the needle and the feeding rolls, and by thus properly adjusting the peripheral speed of the roll with the intermittent feeding mechanism, the fabric will be advanced in proper timing with the feeding and stitching operation.

Referring now to the part of the attachment mounted above the table, attention is drawn to Figs. 1 and 6, 7, and 8. On the table 4, as may be seen, there is mounted the L-shapedbracket 45 (see Fig. 3), having the short leg 46 and the long leg 4?, the short leg, in turn, being mounted on a vertically movable post 48, which is mounted on the table bed 4.

On the bottom of the post is the arm 49, which extends in substantially the same direction as the short leg 46 andis held at its outer end by a spring 55, which is secured, as at 5|, to the under surface'o-f the table, so that the long leg 4! of the bracket is normally held inwardly under tension toward the roller 42.

Supplemental elevating means for the presser foot The post 48 and the bracket 45 differ substantially from the arrangement shown in the former application. It will be noticed that the post 48 is vmounted in the sleeve 48, which sleeve, in turn, fits within the slot 48, the sleeve being externally threaded and held by the nut 48 (see Figs. 5 and 8).

Bearing against the lower end of the sleeve 48 and attached thereto may be seen the spring 48 which also bears against the end 4i! of the arm 49 and is attached thereto. Thus, when the post is to be elevated, as will shortly be described, the spring 48 will be compressed and tend .to return the post toits normal position, as shown in Fig. 6.

Fixedly secured to this post 48 is a collar 48, which is pinned, as at 48 and it is this collar that carries the aforementioned bracket 45, which, in turn, carries the two spreader plates 53 and Ti and the idle roll 52, to be hereinafter mentioned in detail.

Likewise, secured to and coiled about the collar 48 is the spring 48*, which spring is bent, as at 48 (see Fig. 3), to hold the plate ll under spring pressure.

At the top of the post (Fig. 8) is the nut 48 and the lock nut 48*, so that there may be a slight adjustment between the lifting bar 16 and the post 48.

This lifting bar I6 is provided with a collar IE so that it may be rigidly secured to the presser foot carrier rod l6, heretofore mentioned. The bar it is irregular in shape, that is, it has the outwardly extendinglportion Iii (Fig. 8) and: then bends downwardly, as at l6, and then slightly forwardly, as at I li to pass beneath the nut 48 just described. Normally, the lifting bar l6 will rest in the position as shown in Fig. 6, that is, on top of the collar 46 and a slight distance below the nut 48 Thus, when the presser foot carrier rod I6 is elevated by a foot treadle (not shown), the presser foot 65 will be elevated with respect to the bed and dog l6 in the normal manner, but. a slightly continued raising'of the presser foot carrier rod l6 will cause the lifting bar I6, which, in the first elevating movement, has moved up directly under the nut 48 to now slightly raise the post 48 and, likewise, raise the sleeve or collar 48 which, in turn, supports the bracket 45 to thus cause the post and bracket and naturally the presser foot to be elevated to the position as shown in Fig. '7 to provide maximum clearance for the lower layer of cloth, to be later mentioned, to pass over the dog and beneath the bracket 45 and beneath the presser foot 65, as can readily be seen.

To reiterate, the raising of the presser foot carrier i6 will at first raise the presser foot slightly above the bracket and slightly above the dog, while a continued raising of the carrier I6 will then cause the post to be slightly elevated, which post carriers the bracket 45, heretofore mentioned.

Spreader bracket mechanism Referring to the improved spreader bracket, Fig. 3, it will be seen that the leg 41 also forms a housing or bearing for a companion knurled roll 52, which cooperates with the aforementioned knurled roller 42. Directly in front of the roll 52 may be seen a spreader plate 53, which also differs from the one shown in the companion application. This spreader plate is pivotally mounted, as at 54, and normally held by the spring 55, that is, fastened over the hook 55 of the plate 53 and over the pin 55 fastened in the bracket. The plate 53 in this instance has a relatively long leg, as may be seen, and is offset, as at 55, and bears against a presser foot and bridge, shortly to be mentioned.

The offset portion is also of fishtail shape, as may be seen at 55 that is, it flares outwardly, similarly to a truncated caudal fin. This may be seen in Fig. 4.

In the short leg 46 of the bracket, there may also be seen pivotally mounted the spreader plate H, the pivotal point appearing as at Il This plate also has a straight edge 12 and deflects inwardly, as at 14, and, furthermore, is provided with the fishtail portion 15 extending at right angles to the upper surface of the plate to also properly position and guide the marginal edges of the cloth beyond the seam.

The fishtail portion on this plate ll extends substantially across the width of the outer end of the plate, as at 11, that is, the surface at II inclines upwardly, as at TI to the outer edge of the plate, so that the outer edge is in a much higher plane than the inner edge I I When the cloth is fed along the plate, that is, the upper layer, the marginal edge beyond the needle will be deflected upwardly as it approaches the offset 14 and fishtail 15 to thus be in a proper position when passing between the bridge and fishtail, as will be shortly mentioned.

In a like manner, the under surface of theplatc H has the downwardly inclined portion H so that the lower layer of cloth, that is, the marginal edge beyond the seam, will be deflected downwardly to a vertical position as it reaches the flshtail portions and the rollers.

As heretofore mentioned, the spring 48* holds the plate H towards the plate 53.

It will be remembered that the bracket 45 is held with the roller 52 against the knurled roller 42 by the spring 50, but it is also desirable to have a lighter spring tension on these two spreader plates, so that in case the material being seamed and pressed has any cross seams in it, these spreader plates will ride over the seams and allow the plates per se to move slightly apart, even though the bracket itself is held rigidly under a heavy tension by the spring 50.

Having thus described the spreader bracket together with its spreader plates for deflecting the marginal edges in the opposite vertical directions as they approach the flshtail portions of the spreader plates and the rollers, reference will now be made to the auxiliary bridge, which is located beneath the presser foot. Also, there is described the manner in which the spreader plates of the bracket cooperate with the rear end of the bridge to properly guide the marginal edges of the cloth as they approach the rollers.

Beneath the presser foot, in Figs. 6 and 7, may be seen the auxiliary rectangular bridge 55 with its forward wall 51, the bridge extending upwardly from the normal plane of the table 4. This bridge may be in the form of a pressed or molded plate and has the slot portion 56. The bottom surface of the bridge at its opposite end is flush with the table top 4.

Fitting on the top of this bridge and forming a part thereof is a small bridge plate 55, which is tapered at its rear end to a point 56 as may be seen in Fig. 2, conforming, therefore, in top plan to the shape of the presser foot. This plate has the three small openings, one 56 for the reception of the needle 34 and the other elongated openings 56 and 56 for the teeth of the feed dog l8. The rear end, that is, the tapered portion, of this plate forms an abutment extending above the table bed, and it is on the opposite tapered portions of this abutment that the fishtail portions of the spreader plates cooperate to properly position the cloth as it enters the rollers. The bridge plate when secured on the bridge becomes substantially an integral part of the bridge.

Just in front of the bridge, as may be seen in Fig. 6, is a small inclined plate 62 to facilitate the feeding of the cloth and prevent is from striking the vertical wall 51 of the bridge.

The bridge just referred to may be seen in plan in Fig. 2 and in detail in Figs. 6, 6 and '7.

Just beneath the rear end of the bridge, there is formed a trough portion 42*, which may be seen clearly in Figs. 2 and 6, this trough portion extending at a slight angle to the bridge and presser foot, as other parts of the sewing machine (not shown) would interfere if the trough were in parallel line with the said bridge.

This trough permits the marginal edge of the lower layer of fabric to extend down below the bed of the table, so that it will clear as the material is fed through the machine.

The presser foot 65 is turned up at its forward end, as at 65, to facilitate the entry of the cloth thereunder and is provided with a needle opening 57. The presser foot is rockably (forwardly and rearwardly) secured, as at 618, to the short arm 69, which is, in turn, clamped to the lower end of the presser foot carrier rod l6. This rockable movement allows the presser foot to rock or adjust itself and to firmly hold the material against the feeding dogs.

The rear end 15 of the presser foot tapers to a point in conformity with the bridge plate just mentioned and is positioned centrally between the two rolls 42 and 52.

As far as the specification has proceeded, it will be seen that directly beneath the presser foot is the bridge, while on the opposite side of the bridge and abutting against the rear end are the respective fishtail portions of the spreader plates carried in the bracket. In this way, the marginal edges of the cloth to be seamed will be deflected as they approach the rollers, that is, the marginal edge of the upper layer will be directed upwardly while the marginal edge of the lower layer of fabric will be directed downwardly by the plate H. Likewise, the fishtail portion of the spreader plate 53 will deflect the body of the fabric upwardly and downwardly adjacent the seam, so that the seam may be pressed and the fabric clear the roller 52, as shown in Fig. 10.

Having, thus described the sewing machine in general and the structure of the attachment in particular, a brief description of the operation will be as follows:

Operation The manner of forming the seam and the pressing of the marginal edge in the present invention is similar to that in the aforementioned companion application. After the two layers of fabric are once placed under the presser foot, the machine will stitch the fabric, deflect the marginal edges, and present them in their deflected relation to the rollers, just as in the former machine.

However, in the present application, when it is desired to place the two layers of fabric A and B in the machine, as seen in Fig. 9, the presser foot carrier l6 will be raised by a foot treadle (not shown). The initial movement of the carrier l5 will slightly elevate the presser foot with respect to the bridge and the bracket 45, thus allowing room for the upper layer of fabric to pass under thepresser foot and over the bracket 45. It will also raise the operating arm l6 to cause it to impinge on the bottom of the nut 48 mounted on the post 48. A slight continued operation of the presser foot carrier I6 will then cause the arm l6 to slightly elevate the post 48, so that when the presser foot carrier [6 is in its uppermost'position, it will assume the position as shown in Fig. '7, the arm lfi having raised the post 48 and also the collar 48 which, it will be remembered, carries the spreader bracket 45, to allow a maximum of room between the bracket and the work dog for the insertion of the lower layer of fabric.

The presser foot carrier I5 is then allowed to descend so that the presser foot and the bracket 45 and the two layers of material A and B will be in the position as shown in Fig. 10, that is, one layer of cloth A passing over the bracket 45 and one layer of cloth under the bracket 45, while the marginal edges to be pressed will appear as a and b and the material now ready to be seamed and pressed.

As the marginal edges a and breach the fishtail portion of the plate H, the upper marginal edge a. will be deflected upwardly and the marginal edge of the lower layer b will be deflected downwardly. These marginal edges will beheld in this position by the fishtail portion 15 of the plate (I bearing against the tapered rear end 56 of the bridge and its top'plate, similar to the manner shown in the previous application. In a like manner, the fishtail portion 55 of the spreader plate 53 will have deflected the two layers A and B, as may be seen in Fig. 10. a As the so-defiected parts of the cloth go between the rollers, that is, the knurled roller 42 and the smallidle roller52, the marginal edges will be pressed back against the body of the goods, due to the heavy tension on the bracket 45 and its roller 52.

Fig. 11 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 10, but taken from the rear of the machine, showing the lower marginal edge b having left the rollers andlocated in thetrough 42 It will also be understood that when the material is positioned in the machine, as shown in Fig. 9, as the upper marginal edge a passes along the plate ll, Fig. 3, the marginal edge'will be guided up the incline I I to be in a proper vertical position when it is opposite the fishtail portion 15. In the same manner, the lower marginal edge'b will be deflected in a downward position, sothat it likewise will be in a vertical position and these marginal edges are assisted to their proper position as they reach the fishtail portion 15.

Likewise, it will be understood that should there be any cross seams in the fabric, the plates 53 and H may be slightly spread, due to the respective springs 55 and' lt 'without lessening the tension in any way on the main bracket 45.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have produced an attachment for sewingmachines, wherein the two layers of cloth may be quickly and rapidly stitched and wherein the marginal edges beyond the seam will be deflected, and while in their deflected position properly pressed back against the goods, thus saving a further ironing.

It will also be seen that the present invention contemplates a quick and rapid manner for elevating the presser foot slightly above the bracket and then elevating both the presser foot and the bracket, so that the two layers of cloth may be conveniently placed under the presser foot and straddle the spreader bracket 45. 3

This raising and lowering of the presser foot together with the bracket greatly simplifies'the introduction of the goods into the machine and saves considerable time for the operator.

Many slight changes might be made withoutin any'ma'nner departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto for folding and pressing the marginal edges of the fabric adjacent the seam, including driven and idle cooperating rollers located just beyond the needle, a bracket carrying spreader plates, the latter for deflecting the marginal edges in a vertical position to be received by the rollers, a presser foot cooperating with the spreader plates of the bracket, means for elevating the presser foot with respect to the bracket, and means for further elevating both the presser foot and the bracket for easy insertion of the fabric.

2. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto for folding and pressing the marginal edges of the fabric adjacent the seam, including a driven roller and an idle roller located just beyond the needle, a bracket carrying spreader plates, the latter for directing the marginal edges of the fabric in a vertical position to be received and pressed by the rollers, a presser foot, a feed dog, means for elevating the presser foot with respect to the bracket, and means for further elevating both the presser foot and the bracket with respect to the dog for easy insertion of the fabric between the dog and the presser foot.

3. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto for folding and pressing the marginal edges of the fabric adjacent the seam, including pressing rolls, a vertically movable post, a bracket carried by said post and provided with spreader plates, a bridge elevated with respect to the table top, said spreader plates arranged to cooperate with said bridge for vertically positioning the marginal edges of the fabric just prior to passing through the rollers, a presser foot, a work feed dog, means for initially raising the presser foot with regard to the bracket and the bridge, and means for further raising said presser foot, post, and bracket with respect to said dog, thus providing a maximum amount of space between the presser foot and the dog for initially positioning the goods between the presser foot and the dog.

4. In combination with a sewing machine having a presser foot carrier, 2. presser foot, a roller driven by the machine, a cooperating idle roller, avertically movable post, a bracket mechanism carriedby said post for vertically positioning the marginal edges of two layers of cloth beyond the seam as they are fed into said rollers, and means associated with the presser foot carrier and cooperating with said post for elevating said presser-foot and said bracket whereby the layers of cloth may be quickly positioned beneath the presser foot and straddle said bracket;

5. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto for vertically positioning and pressing the marginal edges of the cloth beyond 'the seam, a bracket carrying spreader plates, 2. presser foot located in a plane slightly abovesaid plates, means for raising said presserfoot with relation to the bracket, and. means for raising said presser foot and said bracket through a continued upper movement of said presser foot.

'6. A sewingmachine attachment for pressing marginal edges beyond the seam, including rollers, means for deflecting the marginal edges to a vertical position just prior to their insertion into the rollers, a rockable presser foot, 2. presser foot carrier, a bracket carrying spreader plates, an arm carried by said presser foot carrier and cooperating with said bracket for raising the same, said arm raising said carrier and said presser foot after said carrier has initially raised said presser foot.

7. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto for deflecting the marginal edges beyond the seam of the fabric to pressing rollers, including a driven roller and an idle roller, a vertically adjustable post, an elevated bridge on the bed of the machine, a bracket having spreader plates therein carried by said post, the plates in cooperation with the bridge properly deflecting the layers of cloth as they approach said rollers, a presser foot, means for elevating the presser foot with relation to the end in one leg of the bracket, and spring means ing at an angle to each other, one of the legs bridge, and means for combinatively further raising said presser foot and said bracket.

8. In an attachment for sewing machines, a bridge on the table bed located beneath the presser foot and extending above the level of the table bed, the bridge being tapered from its opposite sides to a point near its rear end, a vertically movable bracket carrying spreader plates and the said spreader plates conforming in shape at their outer ends to the taper of the bridge and adapted to cooperate therewith, spring means for holding the bracket toward the bridge, and each of the spreader plates having its forward end also resiliently held against a tapered portion of the bridge.

. 9. In combination with a sewing machine, an attachment secured thereto including a bracket carrying spreader plates, the bracket provided with an idle roller at its end, a driven roller on the sewing machine, spring means for holding the bracket with its first-mentioned roller in close proximity to the driven roller, said spreader plates having fishtails at their rear end, and auxiliary spring means for forcing the fishtails toward each other.

10. In an attachment for sewing machines for pressing the marginal edges beyond the seam comprising in part a vertically movable bracket, said bracket being substantially L-shaped, spreader plates pivotally mounted at their one also associated with the bracket for normally holding the free ends of the plates toward each other, and said plates having fishtail portions at their said free ends. 7

11. In combination with a sewing machine, a bridge mounted beneath the presser foot and above the table top and said bridge being tapered to a point at its rear end, a vertically movable bracket having pivotally mounted spreader plates therein and the forward ends of said plates being offset to cooperate with the tapered rear end of the bridge, spring means for forcing one leg of the bracket toward the bridge, auxiliary springs connected with the plates for forcing the forward ends of the plates toward said bridge, and means for elevating the said bracket.

12. An attachment for sewing machines comprising in part a vertically movable spreader bracket, said bracket having two legs extendhaving spreader plates pivoted therein and extending parallel with the other leg of said bracket, both of said plates having fishtail portions at their ends extending at right angles to their respective bodies, and one of said plates having an upwardly extending angular portion on its top surface merging with the fishtail portions and a downwardly extending portion on its under surface also merging with the fishtail portions.

13. A sewing machine attachment including a vertically movable bracket having pivotal spreader plates therein and held under spring tension, said plates having converging offset portions at their outer ends, said converging portions extending above and below the normal surfaces of the respective plates.

14. A vertically movable bracket for a sewing machine attachment having spreader plates adapted to lie adjacent the opposite sides of a presser foot, means for normally forcing the spreader plates toward each other, one of the spreader plates being greater in width than the other and having an upwardly extending angular portion on its upper surface and a downwardly extending angular portion on its under surface whereby one layer of cloth will be directed in an upward direction and the other layer of cloth will be directed in a downward direction as the cloth is moved along said spreader plate.

15. An attachment for sewing machines including a vertically movable bracket, pivotally mounted spreader plates in said bracket, said plates having offset portions at their outer end and said offset portions increasing in depth as they approach their outer respective ends, an idle roller carried at the outer end of the bracket adjacent the ends of said spreader plates, separate spring means cooperating with the spreader plates for normally holding the outer ends of the plates toward each other, and spring means also associated indirectly with said bracket for holding the same under spring tension.

16. An attachment for sewing machines including a presser foot and a presser foot carrier, a vertically movable spreader bracket located beneath the presser foot, a post for elevating said bracket, means connected with the presser foot carrier and said post for elevating said bracket, and means for adjusting the height to which said post may be raised.

17. In an attachment for sewing machines, a vertically movable post, a spreader bracket carried by said post, a presser foot carrier, an arm connected with said post and said presser foot carrier for elevating said post, the post being threaded at its outer end to receive a stop whereby a minute adjustment of the elevation of the post and spreader bracket may be obtained. 

